Tree Climbing

"Tree Climbing" - Art, Science, Sport or All of the Above?

The art of tree climbing has taken off since the ‘last millenium’. Specialised tree climbing equipment and high-quality competitions has seen New Zealand arborists leading the way in climbing competitions and climbing techniques.

New Zealand climbers have been at the forefront of the international scene winning both the Men’s and Women’s ITCC (‘Worlds’) event several times in recent years.

Tree Climbing Competition Event Descriptions

Tree climbing competitions simulate working conditions of arborists in the field. At regional events male and female competitors perform five different event (called Preliminary events). Each event tests a competitor's ability to professionally and safely manoeuvre in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks in a timely manner.

Competitors' total scores for all five events are combined and the male and female competitors with the highest combined score win the regional event.

At the National event (NTCC) the top climbers from the preliminary event final table qualify for a winner-takes-all Masters' Challenge - an event like the Work Climb but harder!

Masters' Challenge

The Masters' Challenge consists of one event and competitors are scored on technique and skill within a time constraint. The competitors in this round with the highest score are named the male and female Champions.

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